Flemington will play host to a nine race program on Saturday for Aurie’s Star Handicap Day. The weather forecast is for showers, the track is soft (6) and the rail is out ten metres for the entire circuit.
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Aurie’s Star Handicap 🏆: View the Field and Odds for the Aurie’s Star Handicap
Race 1. (12:10) Vrc Member Damian Cubela-Bm70 1410m
Good test here for 7 Palaggio (Bet Now: $6.00 TOP ODDS), but gee he looks a nice type for the Maher/Eustace team. Not sure he beat a great deal on debut on the Synthetic at Ballarat where he made an absolute mess of them from on speed, winning by nearly five and running fast late splits. Think he’ll lead from gate one and take beating.
4 Berkeley Square (Bet Now: $2.15 TOP ODDS) will love getting to the big surroundings that Flemington offers. The query is 1400m and his racing manners. Clearly he has a motor, but he has been doing a bit wrong, which probably cost him in the end at Caulfield last time. If he puts it all together, he could easily blow this field away.
5 Blakmax (Bet Now: $6.50 TOP ODDS) has the hard race fitness/experience under the belt to give this a shake. He ran two weeks back in the VOBIS Gold Ingot when near the speed throughout and battled away really well in defeat behind Boogie Dancer. I think with a more patient steer, he’ll be fine at 1400m.
Race 2. (12:45) Villa Paradiso (Bm84) 1410m
3 Quintello (Bet Now: $2.50 TOP ODDS) can bounce back into the winners list. Maher/Eustace trained mare that has been kept on ice, having not raced since June 18 at this track/distance when four wide no cover for the trip and dropped out behind Grande Rumore. Fresh legs and in a very winnable raced, I’m in her corner.
6 Defiant Diva (Bet Now: $5.00 TOP ODDS) has returned in really good order. Team Corstens trains this mare, which has had two runs back from a break. Good fresh before a dominant win at Sandown where she sat back but came with a well timed run to spank them. She can measure up for sure.
9 Mrs Sippy (Bet Now: $7.50 TOP ODDS) is knocking on the door to win. Looked the winner at Flemington two weeks back but was nabbed near the peg in a very game effort. Run prior at Sandown the race shape was against so she’s sneaky flying this girl and does get J Kah to steer. Knockout hope.
Race 3. (13:20) Vrc Season Premiere (Bm70) 1100m
Fresh legs and back down the straight, I want to give 9 Grand Pope (Bet Now: $9.00 TOP ODDS) another chance. Forgiving his last start effort at Sandown where he got a mile out of his ground in a race dominated by those on speed. Proven down the straight and Olly taking over, I think he’s worth another look.
13 Veranskova (Bet Now: $3.30 TOP ODDS) is a hard mare to follow and trust with confidence, but the return was very encouraging. Resumed down the straight three weeks ago at Flemington and worked to the line with purpose, just missing out on the win when second to Squid Game. Fitter, she’ll take beating.
2 Duchess (Bet Now: $41.00 TOP ODDS) is a very interesting runner. Michael Freedman was the former trainer but this mare now finds herself with Tom Dabernig. This mare is very capable when right and she is a short course specialist. In a thin 70, with the claim, I think she does command respect.
Race 4. (13:55) The Riverside (Bm78) 2000m
I think 2 Blue Cup (Bet Now: $4.00 TOP ODDS) is a horse with talent for the Maher/Eustace camp. Just want to see him on a firmer deck and touch wood, he gets it here. He found a sticky circuit here three weeks ago and just struggled late in the piece behind Hezashocka. Dry track, I think he’ll run a much improved race.
Back on firmer footing should be absolutely ideal for 10 Coolth (Bet Now: $10.00 TOP ODDS), who has raced on heavy ground his past couple and has been okay, but nowhere near as effective compared to when he races on top of the ground. He gets that here and gets Ben Melham steering, so he appeals.
20 Real Sensation (Bet Now: $6.50 TOP ODDS) is sneaky flying for Luke Oliver. Last couple of runs have come on the Hillside track at Sandown, the latest being last Wednesday where he got badly held up at a crucial stage and no doubt that with clear air he wins instead of a closing third. He likes Flemington, he’ll get back but be strong late.
Race 5. (14:35) Aurie's Star Handicap 1200m
3 King Of Sparta (Bet Now: $2.70) should prove hard to beat once again. The wet track was against him two weeks ago in the Bletchingly but a peach from McNeil ensured he found best ground and was able to wear down Scallopini in a driving go. Back on top of the ground, firmer footing at least, he’ll be hard to hold out.
5 Shooting For Gold (Bet Now: $3.70) is a fascinating runner. Makes his Victorian debut for the O’Dea/Hoysted camp, having not raced since the latter part of the Brisbane Winter Carnival when a close up fourth in the Healy. Jumped out well here last week and he does seem to race best on the fresh side, so watch the market.
7 Kalkarni Royale (Bet Now: $13.00) looks to be in for a good prep. First run for Tom Dabernig came here three weeks back where she was back in the run and closed off strongly late in the piece when a close up third to Squid Game. Natural improvement, she is a key threat here for sure.
Race 6. (15:15) The Parade Lounge (Bm84) 1620m
8 Cashin’ Chex (Bet Now: $8.00) is racing in career best form and has gone to a new level since joining Ashton Downing. Didn’t beat much two weeks ago on the Parks track at Morphettville but he made an absolute mess of them and won with plenty in hand. Good test here, but think he can measure up.
4 He’s Our Bonneval (Bet Now: $6.00) has done little wrong in two Australian runs for the Busuttin/Young camp. Both runs have come over 1400m at Caulfield, scoring an impressive win fresh before a strong third to Edison several weeks ago. The form out of that race is suspect, but he’s an import with upside and progression.
9 Somerset Maugham (Bet Now: $9.50) isn’t far off a win. He had a suck run near the speed in the Not Usual Glorious race at Caulfield and he tried to get into the contest, but somewhat floundered on the shifty track. Has a versatile racing pattern and his best is certainly good enough.
Race 7. (15:55) The Rose Room Hcp 2530m
7 High Emocean (Bet Now: $4.20) looks to be in for a really good prep. Somewhat unwanted in betting when resuming at Flemington but her run was a beauty, closing off with real purpose when a narrow third to Hezashocka. She can be hit and miss, but her best is good enough to take this out.
5 Horrifying (Bet Now: $3.70) has turned his career out in recent times. Last time I backed him was a few months ago when he got beat in a 58 at Mornington. Fast forward to now, he’s a multiple city and he spanked them a fortnight back in the Flemington Cup where he got absolute control in front and gave nothing else a look in. Hard to beat.
3 Memphis (Bet Now: $26.00) is a former German stayer that has come here with the Melbourne Cup in mind, but he’d want to do something positive here to warrant going down that path. Did enough fresh behind Tuvalu before a down the track effort behind Hezashocka. He does get to a more suitable distance range and has good upside to come.
Race 8. (16:30) The Skyline Lounge Hcp 1410m
1 Makram (Bet Now: $14.00) is a quality animal for Team Hayes that connections believe could be a Caulfield Cup contender. Hasn’t raced since spanking his rivals here on Anzac Day and it was then that the Caulfield Cup chat began. Better suited over further, but he does bring a class edge.
8 Zoltan (Bet Now: $5.50) will land on the bunny and give cheek. Four weeks between runs since sitting on speed at Caulfield and he tried his guts out. Just no match late in wearing down all the way winner Edison. He was only second up there, so you’d like to think there is room for improvement.
5 Bam’s On Fire (Bet Now: $13.00) is probably closer to the end of her career than the beginning, but is third up from a break and should just about be at peak fitness. She comes through the Edison race from four weeks back at Caulfield where she seemingly had her chance when battling away late. Back onto the bigger track and hard fit, her best is good enough.
Race 9. (17:05) Jockeys Celebration Day (Bm84) 1100m
10 Fire (Bet Now: $2.30) could be Stakes class but this run will determine what level he goes to next, whether it’s up in grade or down. Resumed over 1000m at Sandown on testing ground, where he was somewhat risked in betting, but in the end, he won like it was a barrier trial in such an impressive return. Have to be with him.
7 Squid Game (Bet Now: $5.50) is a very genuine animal for Patrick Payne who clearly has a liking for the Flemington straight, which is a big tick when racing here because it can be a horses for courses track. Strong on speed win here three weeks back when ridden a touch upside down but class got him home. Hard to beat.
3 Pioneer River (Bet Now: $19.00) saves his best for the straight and can be a definite improver. He resumed several weeks back at Caulfield over 1100m when near the speed throughout and fought on pretty well in defeat when third to Designer Chief. Back on his pet track, he’s in with a shout.
Best Bets & Quaddie Tips
BEST BET: Race Nine Number 10 Fire
NEXT BEST: Race Two Number 3 Quintello
LONG SHOT: Race One Number 7 Palaggio
Quaddie Tips (Races Six Through To Nine):
Leg One: 3, 4, 8, 9
Leg Two: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Leg Three: 1, 8
Leg Four: 10
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